FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: Have a family photo taken with Santa and his team of live reindeer and receive a gift bag. Proceeds go to Kids in Crisis, Connecticut's children's shelter. 8am-5:30pm. Age: All. McArdle's Florist & Garden Center, Greenwich Downtown Business District, Greenwich. 203-661-5600. www.mcardles.com.

Wednesday, December 2

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: See December 1.

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: See December 1.

A VISIT WITH SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS: Children of all ages are invited to stop by the children's library to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. Mrs. Claus will also share holiday stories. 6:30-7:30pm. Age: All. FREE. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton. 203-762-3950. www.wiltonlibrary.org.

NURTURING NATURE OPEN HOUSE: Free trial class. Meet the instructor and sample the nature based seasonal activities that take place during these classes. For ages 18 months-3 years with adult caregiver. 9:30-10:30am. Age: TOD, AD. FREE. New Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan. 203-966-9577. www.NewCanaanNature.org.

Friday, December 4

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: See December 1.

LANTERN LIGHT TOURS: Go back in time to Christmas Eve 1876, with horse-drawn rides, visits to old St. Nick, and a traditional dance in the museum's 19th century style tavern. Advance registration recommended. 5pm. Age: All. $26, $19 children. Mystic Seaport: Museum of America and the Sea, 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic. 888-973-2767. www.mysticseaport.org.

HOLIDAYS ON HECKSCHER FARM: Museum admission is free, and the farm will have extended hours until 7pm. Take a stroll along the luminary path, and enjoy free hot cocoa. 4pm-7pm. Age: All. Stamford Museum and Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford. 203-322-1646. www.stamfordmuseum.org.

HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR: An annual holiday production featuring dance school students from Darien, New Canaan, and Wilton. All proceeds benefit The Walter Schalk Scholarship Fund for the Arts. 7:30pm. Age: All. $15, $8 students. The Walter Schalk School of Dance, Darien High School auditorium, 80 High School Lane, Darien. 203-762-7508. www.WalterSchalk.com.

THE MOSCOW BOYS CHOIR: This talented choir will perform traditional Russian folk songs and holiday favorites such as Silent Night and Jingle Bells, in addition to their world famous rendition of Ave Maria. 7:30pm. Age: All. $45. Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Avenue, Ridgefield. 203-438-5795. www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

THE NEW ENGLAND ACADEMY OF DANCE'S THE NUTCRACKER: The New England Academy of Dance presents this classic ballet tale. 7:30pm. Age: All. $25; $15 children, students, and seniors. New Canaan High School, 11 Farm Road, New Canaan. www.neadance.com/nutcracker.

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: See December 1.

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH HOLIDAY STROLL WEEKEND: See December 4.

LANTERN LIGHT TOURS: See December 4.

HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR: See December 4.

10TH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN RIDGEFIELD HOLIDAY STROLL: See December 4.

THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: An original story about a mythical kingdom under an evil spell, which may only be broken by a brave Knight. 12pm and 2:30pm. Age: All. $15.50. Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport. 203-576-1636. www.dtcab.com.

A VICTORIAN VILLAGE HOLIDAY RIDE: Go back in time to Christmas Eve 1876, and journey with the Gardner family through a town hurt by war and healed by the hope and love of family. This one-hour moving performance/walking tour meanders over one-half mile of uneven terrain. Audience will walk or stand for the entire show. 5pm. Age: All. $26, $19 children. Mystic Seaport: Museum of America and the Sea, 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic. 888-973-2767. www.mysticseaport.org.

WESTPORT ACADEMY OF DANCE'S THE NUTCRACKER: The 28th annual production of this classic tale. 3pm and 7pm. Age: All. $25, $15 students and seniors. Westport Academy of Dance, Staples High School Auditorium, 70 North Avenue, Westport. 203-226-9987. www.westportdance.com.

KIDS HOLIDAY DECORATING DAY: Kids of all ages decorate ornaments and other holiday decorations to take home. Wear something red or green and receive a holiday prize. Children younger than 7 must be accompanied by an adult. 10:30am-5pm. Age: All. FREE. Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel. 203-794-8756. www.bethellibrary.org.

Thursday, December 10

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: See December 1.

A CHRISTMAS STORY: Watch the classic story of a boy who wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Appetizers and drinks will be served in the lobby starting at 6:30pm, and guests will have a chance to win a campy Leg Lamp, as featured in the film. 8pm. Age: All. $15. Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. 203-227-4177. www.westportplayhouse.org.

ROCKAPELLA, THE HOLIDAY SHOW: A holiday concert by the kings of contemporary a capella. Close Harmony, an a cappella group from Fairfield Ludlowe High School, will open the show. 8pm. Age: All. $30 and up. Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield. 203-254-4010. www.quickcenter.com.

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS: A classic opera that tells the story of a crippled boy, Amahl, and his mother, who live among the shepherds of Jerusalem and are visited by three kings on their way to pay homage to a newborn child in Bethlehem. Performed by the WCSU Opera. 8pm. Age: All. $5, $10. Ives Concert Hall, Western Connecticut State University, 181 White Street, Danbury. 203-837-8350. www.wcsu.edu.

SPRING VALLEY PUPPET THEATER PRESENTS HOLIDAY SHOWS: Performances include A Holiday Fantasy and The Three Wishes. For children ages 5 and up. After the show, children can meet the puppets and learn how a puppet theater works. 2-2:45pm. Age: YE, TW. FREE. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton. 203-762-3950. www.wiltonlibrary.org.

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: Watch the film. There will be cookie decorating for kids in the lobby prior to the film. Audience members are encouraged to bring a toy donation and receive a free cookie. 3pm. Age: All. $10. Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court (off Route 1), Westport. 203-227-4177. www.westportplayhouse.org.

GET INTO IT!: Children will learn about the effects environmental changes are having on polar bears and have a special visit with Paulie the Polar Bear from 6-7:30pm. 5-8pm. Age: TOD, YE, TW. FREE. Stepping Stones Museum for Children, 303 West Avenue, Norwalk. 203-899-0606. www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.

Friday, December 18

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: See December 1.

PLAYFUL DISCOVERY: See December 4.

LANTERN LIGHT TOURS: See December 4.

Saturday, December 19

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: See December 1.

HOLIDAY DROP & SHOP!: Drop off your kids while you finish your holiday shopping. Kids will explore the outdoors and collect natural materials to create special holiday gifts for Mom and Dad. They will also meet some furry animal friends, enjoy a holiday snack, and leave with handmade and wrapped gifts to share for the holidays. For children ages 3-10. 1-4pm. Age: TOD, YE. $30 per child, $25 members. New Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan. 203-966-9577. www.NewCanaanNature.org.

THE NUTCRACKER '09: Presented by The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance and featuring professional dancers as well as students from the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance. 2pm and 6pm. Age: All. $25, $20 seniors, $15 children. Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Avenue, Ridgefield. 203-438-5795. www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

THE NUTCRACKER: The tale of how the nutcracker came to be, performed by the Stepping Stones Youth Players. 1pm. Age: All. $9, free children under 1. Stepping Stones Museum for Children, 303 West Avenue, Norwalk. 203-899-0606. www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.

Sunday, December 20

LANTERN LIGHT TOURS: See December 4.

PLANETARIUM SHOW: THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM: See December 6.

THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: See December 5.

THE NUTCRACKER '09: See December 19.

DROP-IN HOLIDAY CRAFTS: Children of all ages are invited to stop by the craft room and create holiday masterpieces out of various craft materials. 1-5pm. Age: TOD, YE, TW, TE. FREE. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton. 203-762-3950. www.wiltonlibrary.org.

Monday, December 21

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: See December 1.

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: See December 1.

NORTH POLE VISITS: See December 21.

Wednesday, December 23

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: See December 1.

NORTH POLE VISITS: See December 21.

Thursday, December 24

FIRST ANNUAL GREENWICH REINDEER FESTIVAL AND SANTA'S WORKSHOP: See December 1.

Saturday, December 26

LANTERN LIGHT TOURS: See December 4.

THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: See December 5.

A VICTORIAN VILLAGE HOLIDAY RIDE: See December 5.

DAY-AFTER CHRISTMAS MOVIE: Showing Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, rated PG, at 10:30am and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, rated PG, at 2pm. Popcorn and lemonade will be served. Children under 8 must be accompanied by a caregiver, children under 12 must have a caregiver in the building. Age: All. FREE. Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton. 203-762-3950. www.wiltonlibrary.org.